Every Love Story Is Equal: Zena + Louise

The aim of a wedding shoot is to inspire engaged couples, to create a vision of beauty and demonstrate how ideas can become reality, so today's shoot couldn't be more fitting on such an important day in Ireland: we are delighted to share an amazing gay wedding inspiration shoot featuring real life engaged couple Zena and Louise who plan to tie the knot this summer. Put together by the talented hair stylist Claire Barry and photographer Leanne Keaney, the aim of this gorgeous shoot is to capture the true beauty of a gay wedding and to encourage the idea that every love story is equal. Beautiful from beginning to end - and brimming with gorgeous bridal inspiration, this is one to share and inspire...

Claire explains how the shoot all came together..."The shoot came about because I was inspired by the Straight Up For Equality movement. I wanted to use my own expertise and network of wedding suppliers to create and capture the beautiful moments of a gay wedding (looking forward to the day when everyone will just say 'a wedding'!)"

With a clear idea for a shoot in her head Claire reached out to wedding suppliers in Ireland to get involved, and was overwhelmed with the positive response to gay weddings and gay marriage. "When I asked each of these suppliers to be involved, they were all so eager! There was an exciting, hopeful, atmosphere at The Old Deanery that day."

With a location and enthusiastic team secured, all Claire and Leanne needed was a beautiful couple, and stunning engaged couple Louise and Zena were only happy to oblige.

For the shoot Louise and Zena wore vintage gowns from Dirty Fabulous, chosen by Claire and Caroline from Dirty Fabulous... "It was a fun task, designing hair for two brides, as well as pairing two dresses. It's not easy to choose hair styles and dresses so that they complement each other but also show off individual style. Caroline (at Dirty Fabulous) and I enjoyed the challenge of pairing the dresses and were delighted with the results."

A couple in real life Louise and Zena were delighted to take part in this shoot, and are hoping to marry, rather than have a civil ceremony on their wedding date this summer.

Louise explains how they met, and why gay marriage means so much to them as a couple. "I seen a music video that Zena had put up on Facebook she was being her funny self and I couldn't get enough of it. We got talking and just clicked. The first time I met Zena for a date I spent hours with her laughing and chatting, I was never so relaxed with anybody before. I proposed to Zena in July of last year when we went to a Lana Del Ray concert (we both love her music) and she said yes!!! Zena didn't have a ring for me at the time but she did write me a song. We really hope the vote passes as we have our big day planned for the 30th of July and I'd love to be able to say I married the love of my life not I got a civil partnership with the love of my life!"

Keeping the focus on the girls love story and the importance of the right to gay marriage, all of the décor and styling was kept very fresh and simple - with beautiful florals from Les Fleurs and a contemporary naked cake from The Cake Cuppery.

A big thank you to Louise and Zena for sharing their love story with us today, we have all our fingers crossed that you'll have the right to marry this summer!

Massive thank you also to Claire Barry, Leanne Keaney and all the wonderful suppliers who took part in today's shoot. To see more work from Leanne pop over to www.leannekeaney.ie and for all other supplier details see below.